The Category Manager - Indirect Procurement is responsible for developing and executing category strategies across key indirect spend areas (e.g., IT, facilities, professional services, MRO, marketing, travel, office supplies) to drive measurable cost savings, improve supplier performance, and support TAIT's operational excellence. This role requires a resourceful, self-starting professional who can navigate a fast-paced, creative environment with limited established processes - and build them from the ground up.
Responsibilities:- Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies for assigned indirect spend categories, aligned with business objectives and procurement governance standards
- Conduct spend analysis, market research, and benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities, risks, and cost reduction levers
- Lead competitive sourcing events including RFPs, RFQs, supplier selection, and contract negotiations to secure favorable pricing and terms
- Build and manage a preferred supplier list for indirect categories, consolidating fragmented spend and reducing maverick purchasing
- Partner closely with Finance to define, validate, track, and report procurement savings - ensuring savings are properly reflected in budgets, forecasts, and P&L impact
- Own the end-to-end savings lifecycle: from opportunity identification through negotiation, implementation, and benefits realization tracking
- Prepare business cases with clear ROI analysis to support sourcing recommendations and investment decisions
- Build strong cross-functional relationships with internal stakeholders (Operations, Finance, IT, Facilities, Marketing) to understand demand, align on requirements, and drive compliance with procurement policies
- Manage supplier relationships, including performance scorecards, quarterly business reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Act as a trusted advisor to business partners, balancing cost optimization with service quality and risk mitigation
- Leverage advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data modeling, dashboards) to analyze spend data, build business cases, and track category performance
- Utilize AI-powered tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot) to accelerate market research, supplier analysis, contract review, and workflow automation
- Support the development and adoption of procurement technology, reporting tools, and process automation initiatives
- Operate with a resourceful, entrepreneurial mindset - proactively solving problems, finding creative workarounds, and driving results in an environment where processes are still being built
- Identify and champion process improvements, policy updates, and best practices to mature TAIT's indirect procurement function
- Stay current on market trends, industry benchmarks, and emerging procurement technologies
Qualifications: Education : Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
- 5+ of progressive procurement or strategic sourcing experience, with at least 3 years focused on indirect categories
- Excel Proficiency: Advanced skills including pivot tables, complex formulas (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH), data visualization, and macro-enabled workbooks
- Financial Acumen: Demonstrated experience partnering with Finance to validate and report procurement savings against budgets and forecasts
- AI & Technology: Hands-on experience using AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) to enhance productivity, analysis, and decision-making
- Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder influence skills
- Ability to manage multiple categories and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience in entertainment, live events, manufacturing, or project-based industries
- Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Epicor) and procurement platforms
- Experience with Power BI or similar data visualization tools
- Professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) is a plus
- Experience building procurement processes and governance frameworks in a maturing organization
What Makes This Role Unique at TAIT: This isn't a "maintain the status quo" role. TAIT's procurement function is being modernized, and this person will have a direct hand in shaping how indirect spend is managed across a global, creative organization. You'll work alongside a leadership team that values innovation, data-driven decision-making, and the kind of resourcefulness that turns challenges into opportunities.
